diff --git a/roles/backup/templates/event.yml.j2 b/roles/backup/templates/event.yml.j2
index 87660e62..6374cbf0 100644
--- a/roles/backup/templates/event.yml.j2
+++ b/roles/backup/templates/event.yml.j2
@@ -12,6 +12,6 @@ involvedObject:
 message: {{ error_msg }}
 reason: BackupFailed
 type: Warning
-firstTimestamp: {{ now }}
-lastTimestamp: {{ now }}
+firstTimestamp: "{{ now }}"
+lastTimestamp: "{{ now }}"
 count: 1
diff --git a/roles/restore/templates/event.yml.j2 b/roles/restore/templates/event.yml.j2
index 8347f825..d728d9fa 100644
--- a/roles/restore/templates/event.yml.j2
+++ b/roles/restore/templates/event.yml.j2
@@ -12,6 +12,6 @@ involvedObject:
 message: {{ error_msg }}
 reason: RestoreFailed
 type: Warning
-firstTimestamp: {{ now }}
-lastTimestamp: {{ now }}
+firstTimestamp: "{{ now }}"
+lastTimestamp: "{{ now }}"
 count: 1